Crook County - Office of the Sheriff

The Office of Sheriff is a constitutional office for the State of Oregon and is the only elected law enforcement position in the state or in the country for that matter. It has been important over the years that the Sheriff is elected and thus accountable directly to the people.

The Sheriff answers only to the people and is not directed by any other body, elected or appointed person. Being answerable only to the voters provides for integrity in enforcing the law by not having a boss that might dictate otherwise. Additionally the current Sheriff, Sheriff Jim Hensley, has an open door policy to the public and will see you if you drop by and he is available or you can make an appointment to insure he will be in when you can come by. The Sheriff is interested in your opinions and observations and holds several Town Hall Meetings at two different times each year in outlying areas just to meet and hear from the citizens where it is easy for them to attend.

Sheriff Hensley graduated from Crook County High School in 1973 and has lived in Crook County for 41 years. He raised three children in Crook County and is very proud of his long time commitment to residing in and serving the citizens of Crook County.

Sheriff Hensley started his law enforcement career as a reserve officer with the Prineville Police Department in 1981 and was hired as a full time police officer with the City of Prineville in 1983. In 1986 he went to work for the Crook County Sheriff's Office and worked in Patrol/Criminal, Narcotics Detective assigned to the Central Oregon Drug Enforcement Team (CODE), Patrol Sergeant, Undersheriff, Parole and Probation and was elected Sheriff in November 2010 and was sworn in as Sheriff on January 3rd, 2011.

Sheriff Hensley is an active member of the community, participating in the Crooked River Round Up Board, For The Children, Community Coalition and many other community functions and activities.